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Airline: Etihad Airways
Flight Number: EY104
Route: MAD-AUH
Class: Business Class
Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
Registration: EC-OMB
Delivered: June 2025
Flight Duration: 7 Hours 5 Minutes
Distance: 3,509 Miles
Overall Impression:
In June 2025, Etihad Airways (EY) and Air Europa (UX) launched a wet-lease partnership, where one of Etihad’s two daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Madrid is operated by Air Europa. In practical terms, this means the aircraft and crew are provided by Air Europa, while the onboard soft product—catering, amenities, and branding—remains distinctly Etihad.
This particular flight was operated by Air Europa’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, featuring 32 business class and 307 economy seats. Going in, we were a bit skeptical, especially since our prior experience with Air Europa’s business class had been limited to short intra-Europe flights. However, this turned out to be a pleasant surprise.
The hard product held up well, with seats that were genuinely comfortable for this 7-hour journey to the Middle East. Service from the mixed Air Europa (along with one Etihad) crew was also above average—polite, attentive, and eager to help. Meanwhile, the Casa Armani-branded amenities and Etihad-style catering ensured that the overall experience still felt cohesive and premium.
What I liked:
The Seats – Air Europa’s 787-9 is equipped with 32 Jamco Venture lie-flat seats arranged in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration. While these seats don’t feature doors, they still offer a good level of privacy thanks to the layout.
In terms of comfort, they perform well. The seat is supportive in both upright and bed mode, making it easy to relax, dine, or get some rest on a medium-haul flight like this. Controls are intuitive and within easy reach, and overall, it’s a straightforward, no-nonsense business class seat that gets the job done.
The Catering – One of the most consistent highlights of flying Etihad Airways is the catering, and this flight was no exception. The quality and presentation were excellent throughout.
Shortly after takeoff, drinks were served alongside mixed nuts, followed by the starter tray. I opted for the smoked salmon with caviar and an edamame salad, accompanied by a side salad and artisan bread. Everything was fresh, well-balanced, and nicely presented.
For the main course, I chose the braised beef cheeks served with mashed potatoes and root vegetables. The beef was tender and flavorful, and the sides complemented it nicely.
Dessert was a simple cup of vanilla ice cream, which provided a light and satisfying finish to the meal.
About 90 minutes before landing in Madrid, I found myself getting hungry again and ordered a chicken baguette from the all-day menu, along with a Diet Coke. It was a nice option to have and rounded out the dining experience well.
The in-flight Service – Service on this flight was surprisingly strong. The crew struck a good balance between friendliness and professionalism, creating a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere onboard.
We were greeted with pre-departure drinks and hot towels, and throughout the flight, service felt attentive without being intrusive. Meals were served according to our preferred timing, and the crew checked in regularly to ensure everything was going smoothly. Overall, it was a very solid performance—especially for a wet-lease operation.
What I didn’t like:
No Personal Air Nozzles – This remains a minor frustration. Without individual air vents, it’s harder to control your personal comfort. That said, the cabin temperature was kept pleasantly cool throughout the flight, which helped offset the issue.
It was OK…I guess:
The Neptuno Lounge in Madrid – For this flight, Etihad Airways uses the Neptuno Lounge Madrid, which also serves as a Priority Pass lounge. The space is large and generally comfortable, though there was a noticeable queue to enter.
Once inside, however, there was plenty of seating available. The buffet offered a decent selection of both hot and cold items, along with a self-serve bar. Shower facilities were also available for those looking to freshen up before departure. Overall, it’s a functional and comfortable lounge, even if it doesn’t feel particularly exclusive.
The IFE – Air Europa’s inflight entertainment system is better than expected. The interface is responsive and easy to navigate, with a solid selection of movies, TV shows, music, and games.
Wi-Fi was available for purchase at $20 for the entire flight, with speeds that were adequate for basic browsing, email, and social media.
Business Class Amenities – On the soft product side, Etihad ensures consistency with its Casa Armani-branded amenities. We received an amenity kit, pillow, duvet, and mattress pad, along with a bottle of water and noise-canceling headphones.
The lavatories were kept clean throughout the flight and stocked with basic toiletries like hand soap and lotion—nothing over the top, but perfectly sufficient for a flight of this length.
Bottom Line:
This wet-lease flight between Etihad Airways and Air Europa turned out to be a pleasant surprise. While the hard product may not be the most cutting-edge, the comfortable seats, strong catering, and consistently good service help deliver a well-rounded business class experience. The Casa Armani soft product also adds a cohesive, premium touch despite the mixed operation. Minor drawbacks like the lack of air vents and a fairly standard lounge don’t take away from what is ultimately a solid and enjoyable medium-haul flight.
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